Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Mar 2002
[Diagnostic imaging techniques in the investigation of dementia].
Neuroimaging can provide valuable information in the diagnostic work-up of patients presenting with suspected dementia. ⋯ CT of the brain should be offered to all patients with suspected dementia as CT can provide essential diagnostic information regarding focal cerebral pathology (tumour, haemorrhage, normal pressure hydrocephalus). A CT scan is of no value in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease as age-related atrophy may be a confounding factor. CT is necessary to reveal infarcts when vascular dementia is suspected, but lacks sensitivity in the detection of diffuse cerebrovascular disease. MRI is recommended in younger patients and may be used to diagnose subcortical lesions, e.g. leukoariosis. The accuracy of SPECT in the assessment of patients with cognitive impairment is not yet established though it seems to be a promising method for the detection of frontotemporal dementia. Functional MR may play a role in the work-up of dementia in the future.
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Accidental hypothermia is unintended body core temperature of 35 degrees C or below, a known hazard to elderly people in temperate and cold climates. ⋯ There is a need for more knowledge and experience of treating elderly hypothermia victims.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 2002
Review[Factors contributing to interindividual variability to chemical toxicity].
Recognising toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic variability is important in the risk assessment of chemicals and may help to explain individual differences in susceptibility in exposed populations. This presentation discusses the influence of age, gender, disease and genetics on toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic processes. Neonates have a reduced capacity for metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics that may enhance chemical toxicity caused by a parent chemical. ⋯ Such polymorphisms have been shown to contribute to interindividual variability in chemical response. During the last few years, accounts have been given of several polymorphisms in genes with importance for toxicodynamic processes, such as DNA repair genes and receptor genes. However, further information is needed in order to evaluate the functional contribution of these polymorphisms to chemical sensitivity and health risk.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 2002
Review[The somatostatin receptor family--a window against new diagnosis and therapy of cancer].
The peptide hormone somatostatin (SST) inhibits secretion from a wide variety of both endocrine and exocrine cells. It functions as a neurotransmitter and plays an important role in regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. SST exerts its effects through binding to specific surface membrane receptors. ⋯ Increased molecular understanding of the SSTR family and especially how the receptors are being regulated will probably lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against cancer.